Miniature rose plant named `Ruicany`

ABSTRACT

A distinctive cultivar of miniature rose plant named `Ruicany`, characterized by its large golden yellow flowers; medium to dark green leaves; strong rooting habit; and excellent postproduction longevity and garden performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theminiature rose class, botanically known as Rosa hybrida, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Ruicany. The new cultivar will bemarketed under the trade name Canyon Cupido.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop compact pot rose varieties with noveland attractive flower colors and excellent postproduction longevity andgarden performance. The new cultivar originated from a cross made by theinventor in 1992 of two unnamed proprietary seedlings. The cultivarRuicany was discovered and selected by the inventor as a flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment inHazerswoude, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings taken atHazerswoude, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of thisnew miniature rose plant are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Ruicany`. These characteristics incombination distinguish the new miniature rose plant as a new anddistinct cultivar:

1. Large golden yellow flowers.

2. Medium to dark green leaves.

3. Stems without prickles.

4. Strong rooting habit.

5. Excellent postproduction longevity.

6. Excellent garden performance.

The new miniature rose plant has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly withvariations in environment such as temperature and light level, without,however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate typical specimens of thevegetative growth and flowers of the new miniature rose plant, showingthe colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in coloredreproductions of this type.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical plant of the new miniature rose plant grown in Hazerswoude, TheNetherlands.

The photograph on the second sheet comprises details of the newminiature rose plant. In this photograph the apex of a young shoot (1);a leaf with three leaflets (2); a leaf with five leaflets (3); a leafwith seven leaflets (4); a stem without leaves (5); a flower bud aftersepals open (6); a flower bud after petals begin to unfurl (7); a flowerone-half open (8); and a flower fully open (9) are shown. Flower andfoliage color in these photographs may appear different from the actualcolors due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisonsdescribe plants grown in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands, under glasscovering with average day temperatures of 20° C., average nighttemperatures of 16° to 18° C., and an average light level of 2,000J/cm².

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rose hybrida cultivar Ruicany.

Commercial.--Miniature pot rose.

Parentage:

Male or pollen parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

Female or seed parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

Propagation:

Type.--Terminal or stem cuttings.

Time to rooting.--8 to 10 days with soil temperature of 20° C.

Rooting habit.--Propagates easily, roots strong and well-branched.

Plant description:

Form.--Rounded form, uniform, and spreading.

Growth habit.--Moderately vigorous, yet compact. Freely branching anddense growth. Suitable for 10-cm containers. Time to produce a finishedplant in a 10-cm container 20 to 30 cm in height and 15 to 20 cm inwidth is generally 10 to 12 weeks depending on average temperature,light level, and cultural practices.

Stem and lateral branches.--Quantity of lateral branches from pinching:Typically three. Length of lateral branches: 1 to 5 cm. Diameter oflateral branches: About 1 mm. Internode length: 0.5 to 2 cm. Color:144A.

Foliage description.--Leaves arranged alternately, compound with threeto seven leaflets per leaf, generally symmetrical, abundant, and flat inaspect. Stipules at petiole base. Quantity of leaves: Five to eight perlateral branch. Leaflet length: 1.2 to 2.5 cm. Leaflet width: 0.8 to 1.5cm. Shape: Ovate with acute apex and obtuse base. Margin: Serrate.Texture: Smooth. Petiole length: 0.6 to 1.8 cm. Petiole diameter: About1 mm. Color: Young foliage, upper side: 143A with 59A at margin. Youngfoliage, under side: 143C with narrow 59A margin. Mature foliage, upperside: 137A. Mature foliage, under side: 137C. Petiole: 143C.

Prickles.--Absent.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.--Large golden yellow flowers. Consistentlysymmetrical rosette flowers that are flat in aspect. Freely andcontinuously flowering. The flowers are borne singly on peduncles andarranged in clusters of up to three each. Petals persistent.

Flowering season.--Year-round under greenhouse conditions, optimalflowering from spring through autumn under garden conditions.

Flower diameter.--About 2.5 cm.

Flower depth (height).--About 9 mm.

Flower longevity on plant.--About 12 days.

Frangrance.--Absent.

Flower buds.--Shape: Ovate. Length: 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Diameter: 4 to 6 mm.Color: 143A/143B.

Petals.--Quantity: About 35 per flower. Typically about seven rows withfive petals each. Length: About 1.2 cm. Width: 0.8 to 1 cm. Shape: Ovatewith acute to pointed apex. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth and satiny.Color: Upper side, when opening: Light orange, 22A, towards margin;yellow, 7B, at center and base. Under side, when opening: Light orange,22A, towards margin; yellow, 6C, at center and base. Upper side, fullyopened: Mostly yellow, 7A, with narrow orange, 25A, margin. Under side,fully opened: 6A. Fade: Light salmon pink, 37C, towards margin; lightyellow, 10C/10D, at center and base.

Petaloids.--Quantity: About 10 per flower. Arrangement: About two rowsof five petaloids each. Length: About 6 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Shape:Elliptical with obtuse tip. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth and satiny.Color: Immature: 7A with 6A. Mature: 7A.

Sepals.--Quantity: Typically five per flower. Shape: Narrowly ovate withacute tip. Texture: Pubescent and leathery. Color: Upper side: 138C atbase, 138A at apex. Under side: 138C at base, 138A at apex.

Calyx.--Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Shape: Funnel.

Peduncles.--Strength: High. Aspect: Erect. Length: 1 to 3 cm. Color:144A.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Quantity: 55 to 70 per flower. Anthersize: 1 to 2 mm. Anther shape: Oblong. Anther color: 6A with 23A.Pistils: Quantity: 35 to 45 per flower. Style length: About 5 mm. Stylecolor: Almost white.

Disease resistance: Plants appear to be relatively tolerant to PowderyMildew.

Seed production: Seed production is rarely observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct miniature rose plant named`Ruicany`, as illustrated and described.